Exhibit 12.1 COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES NINE MONTHS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1996 FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, PROFORMA ACTUAL PROFORMA ACTUAL 1994 1993 1992 1991 -------- ------ -------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ PRE-TAX INCOME 314 270 636 554 131 151 200 237 ADJUST FOR: SUBURBAN EARNINGS (32) (32) SUBURBAN CASH DISTRIBUTION 5 5 INTEREST EXPENSE (A) 129 171 157 240 206 14 6 3 RENT EXPENSE (A) 13 13 20 20 19 1 1 1 -------- ------ -------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ TOTAL 429 427 813 814 356 166 207 241 (A) FIXED CHARGES 142 184 177 260 225 15 7 4 -------- ------ -------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ 3.0:1 2.3:1 4.6:1 3.1:1 1.6:1 11.1:1 29.6:1 60.3:1